Fox Valley - 71154 - Locomotive, Diesel, EMD SD70 - Erie - 1068

Specific Item Information: Heritage units feature unique paint schemes to honor their respective railroads.

Model Information: Fox Valley introduced this model in 2014 with a second run in 2015. It is a modern split-frame locomotive with flywheels and other standard 3rd generation features. Specifically you will find: Multiple Variations; Front and Rear ditch lights; High or Low Headlights; Etched Metal Details; Standard Cab; Isolated Cab; FVM's Sharp Paint and Lettering; Wire Grab Irons; Painted Handrails and Step Edges; Correct Brass Horn .

The user-applied detail parts are a bit intimidating even for an intermediate modeler, but if you have the skills, you can make this model look awesome.

DCC Information: Accepts NEM-651 plug-in decoder.

Prototype History: The EMD SD70 is a series of high-powered, single engined 4,000hp to 4,300hp, diesel-electric locomotives produced by Electro-Motive Division (EMD). All locomotives of this series are hood units with C-C trucks. Production commenced in late 1992 and since then over 4,000 units have been produced. The most produced models of the series are the SD70M, SD70MAC and SD70ACe models. All SD70 models were delivered with the self-steering radial truck HTCR , then from SD70ACe and SD70M-2 models, with non-radial HTSC truck. The radial truck allows the axles to steer in curves which reduces wear on the wheels and railhead.

The SD70ACe AC-traction diesel locomotive (most in the industry simply call them SD70 "Ace" or "Aces") is the successor to the older SD70MAC. It was first introduced in 2004, and has been in production since 2005. It was originally designed to comply with EPA Tier 2 locomotive emissions regulations. Beginning in 2012, newly built SD70ACe's were EPA Tier 3 compliant. SD70ACes are equipped with EMD's 16-710-G3C-T2 prime mover, rated at 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW); later Tier 3 models are rated at 4,500 horsepower (3,400 kW). The model is still in production as EMD's primary long-haul domestic locomotive.
Although mechanically similar to earlier SD70 units, the SD70ACe rides on a new underframe and uses mostly new sheet metal above the frame. Electrical cables and air lines have been routed beneath the walkways on opposite sides, allowing easier access for maintenance. Continuing the designs of the SD80 and SD90 series, the radiator on the locomotive is nearly as wide as the cab, the center hood section is a step down below the roofline, and the dynamic brakes have been moved to the rear of the hood. The SD70ACe uses the cab design of late-model SD90MAC-H units, which uses rectangular window glass and is externally different from the two cab variations used on earlier SD70M and SD70MAC units. In 2008, EMD standardized the isolated cab on subsequent SD70ACes after non-isolated cab units were restricted from leading on BNSF Railway due to excessive cab vibration. Purchasers included ArcelorMittal, BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, CSX Transportation, Ferromex, Kansas City Southern Railway, Montana Rail Link, Norfolk Southern Railway, CVG Ferrominera Orinoco, Union Pacific Railroad, Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway, BHP Billiton, and shortline Arkansas and Missouri Railroad.

Read more on Wikipedia, on American-Rails.com and on Locomotive wiki.

Full EMD SD70ACe data sheet on The Diesel Workshop.

Road Name History: The Erie (the second railroad by that name) was formed in 1895 from the reorganization of the New York Lake Erie & Western which had cobbled together a Jersey City (across the Hudson from New York City) to Chicago route from the original Erie, the Chicago & Atlantic, Atlantic & Great Western and a few smaller lines. The route had been built to 6’ gauge and had been standard gauged in 1880.

The New York – Chicago main was all double track with big rail. However, the mainline managed to miss every major city along the way. Binghamton, New York and Akron, Ohio were the biggest cities on the mainline between New York and Chicago. Buffalo, Rochester, Youngstown, Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati were all at the end of branches from the mainline. Some said that “you could forget how much unpopulated land there was in the Northeast until you rode the Erie.”

Erie and its predecessors were early victims of “robber barons” that saddled the company with debt that it would carry for over 100 years. The companies went bankrupt 3 times in the 19th Century and once during the Depression (in 1938, after most other lines ironically.) Erie promoted exclusively from within and management was rife with nepotism. It was called “Weary Erie”, and “The Scarlet Woman of Wall Street.”

Erie’s steam fleet was varied although not terribly modern. The Erie passed through Pennsylvania’s anthracite region so camelback locomotives were part of the mix. In fact Erie had the largest camelbacks ever built – 0-8-8-0’s delivered in 1908. Erie was also one of only two roads to employ Triplexes, in this case with the 2-8-8-8-2 wheel arrangement. Their most modern steam consisted of heavy Berkshires delivered in 1929 when the company was under the influence of the Van Sweringen brothers who also controlled Nickel Plate, C&O, Pere Marquette and Hocking Valley. As a result, they dieselized fairly early primarily with EMD, and Alco road and passenger units and switchers from nearly every builder. Like future dance partner DL&W, Erie road switchers were setup for long-hood-forward operation.

Other than heavy commuter operations in New Jersey, passenger operations paled in comparison to other eastern trunk lines. Erie concentrated on freight. From about 1947 until 1955, the Erie was fairly healthy, although still paying way too much for debt service. They even paid dividends for much of this period. Quartets of F units dragged freights over 185 cars long across New York’s scenic Southern Tier. Erie’s big clearances (due to the original 6’ track gauge) made Erie the go-to road for highly lucrative over-size loads. The Erie was much loved by communities along the line.

The mid-to-late 50s presented one disaster after another. Twin hurricanes damaged track (although not as bad as neighbor DL&W who really took it in the teeth), then strikes in the cement and steel industries cut traffic dramatically. Labor trouble in the tire center of Akron (where Erie was a major carrier) led to much of the tire industry leaving the area. Erie’s net income fell in half the next year and then they began to lose money. Combining parallel routes and Jersey Shore terminals with the Lackawanna helped but not enough. In 1960, The Erie merged with the Delaware Lackawanna & Western. Here are Erie’s stats in their final year: 2,215 route miles (about the same length as competitors Nickel Plate and Wabash); 484 diesels; 535 passenger cars; 20,028 freight cars.

Brand/Importer Information: Fox Valley Models is a small supplier of model railroad and related products. FVM started by finding solutions to different challenges that model railroaders were faced with. Our first products resulted from a need to equip custom built passenger cars with tinted windows made of an ideal material; thin, flexible, easy to cut, simple to install, available in multiple colors and be affordable. We met those needs and even included a frosted version for the car's lavatory windows.

Other challenges inspired additional products including wooden grade crossings, trestles and different lineside structures. As our product line expands, input and requests from friends and customers help shape the product selection further.

Future products, under development, include more parts, structures, details and rolling stock. We strive to offer a good quality product at an affordable price.